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SMITH, John Reginald:
Late of Mapua. Passed away on August 7, 2019 in his 85th year. Cherished brother of George, and uncle of Rob, Alison, and Jo. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fred Hollows Foundation. The funeral service to honour John's life will be held in the Chanel Arts Centre, 31 High Street, Motueka, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 1pm.
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8 Entries
John was a legend of aviation preservation in New Zealand. I can still remember as a young teenager finding out there was a Mosquito hidden away in a shed in Mapua. I enjoyed meeting John and although private, he was happy to talk and share once you had established a connection.
I hope his aviation preservation efforts are acknowledged and recorded. The magic of his collection tucked away on his property will now truly become a legend to pass on to younger aviation enthusiasts, and I look forward to seeing his aircraft go to good homes.
Rest in peace John, your life story will live on.
Richard Wesley
August 30, 2019
I last visited John on the 5th of this month and found him bright and chatty if hard of hearing and with failing eyesight. It was a shock, just yesterday, to see that he has passed on.
Over the past 15 years I have called in when passing and he was always ready for a discussion on a wide variety of subjects.
I enjoyed his experience and insight.
My condolences go to his family.
Bill Sutherland
August 28, 2019
An aviation legend has fallen from his perch.
John was a quiet achiever. Very quiet. Barely out of his teens in the late 1950s, he bought a Mosquito to preserve it --- arguably the first person in NZ to do such a thing with a large aircraft. I met John in the early1960s when we were at Rukuhia working towards obtaining P-40s for our collection dreams. John dragged his two P-40s home behind the old Morris Minor which was also his residence and his restaurant during his collecting journeys.
Always an exceptionally private person, John's projected image of a country bumpkin concealed a critical and enquiring mind. I've watched him demolish a visiting know-all by letting the person rant-on then quietly asking But how would you explain ----. And he would jump you with seriously challenging discussions on subjects as diverse as astrophysics, gunlaying radars, horticulture, and electronic countermeasures.
John's presence will be greatly missed by many younger aviation people as well as us old lags.
Charles Darby
August 15, 2019
Thanks to John for allowing me to be in the cockpit of the Mosquito with an Rolls Royce Merli running. RIP
Martin Reid
August 14, 2019
I have not had the privilege of meeting John but I have spoken with many who did and admired his life work in his aircraft collection. I hope that it will be treated with respect and sensitivity
Peter Anderson
August 12, 2019
I met John many years ago and was fascinated by his collection and dedication to preserving RNZAF aircraft. A legend in aviation history in NZ
August 12, 2019
Always thinking of the family long may you keep on George
Edward Chambers
August 11, 2019
A big thanks to John from myself and the Mosquito team at Ferrymead Aeronautical Society for all the help and advice he gave us over the years. Always good to visit and discuss our restoration. Dagy
Dag Guest
August 10, 2019
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